Subrata Panda, Business Standard

Stories by Subrata Panda, Business Standard

'Small finance banks need to build all product ranges'

'Small finance banks need to build all product ranges'

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2024

'You cannot have only one product or one market or one customer segment.'

Qatar Reprieve Highlights India Diplomacy

Qatar Reprieve Highlights India Diplomacy

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2024

The incident remains a reminder of the inherent fragilities of all geopolitical relationships.

Is Son Preference Hurting India?

Is Son Preference Hurting India?

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2024

A cultural preference for sons in India may be expressed as 'son preference' or 'daughter aversion', arising from patrilocality, patrilineality, the cost of dowry, and old-age support from sons.

What If Trump Wins A Second Term?

What If Trump Wins A Second Term?

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2024

Although India-US relations have strengthened significantly in recent years, partly because of the security situation in the region, the Indian policy establishment would have to be prepared to protect India's interests in a world that could get more unpredictable.

Is The Worst Over For IT Industry?

Is The Worst Over For IT Industry?

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2024

Certain changes in the past two or three years could have a long-term structural impact on the IT services market.

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

The five warmest years in Indian weather history have occurred in the past 14 years -- the others being 2009, 2017 and 2010, in order of intensity.

Stock Market: Which Sectors Delivered?

Stock Market: Which Sectors Delivered?

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

The biggest bounce is in the realty sector, where the industry index jumped 80%. There's been a turnaround also in automobiles and ancillaries (up 45%). The pharma and health care indices have a welcome return of roughly 35%.

The IPL's Pay Problem

The IPL's Pay Problem

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2024

Lower-paid IPL players, domestic or foreign, should be able to try their luck in other T20 tournaments.

Good News For Android App Developers

Good News For Android App Developers

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2023

For many developers, it may not be a sufficient saving to make it worth creating and maintaining alternatives.

2024 Challenge For INDIA Grows Every Day!

2024 Challenge For INDIA Grows Every Day!

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2023

If they wish to have any chance next year, the Congress and the alliance must quickly settle all issues, draw up an alternative agenda, and create a cohesive campaign.

'We are building Kia 2.0. India is a long-term bet for us'

'We are building Kia 2.0. India is a long-term bet for us'

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2023

'India is the sixth-largest market for the Kia Corporation, and contributes 8 to 9 per cent to our global sales.' 'We are eyeing 10 per cent market share over the next few years depending on customer demand and new product innovations.'

Remittances decline 23% sequentially to $2.1 billion in February

Remittances decline 23% sequentially to $2.1 billion in February

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2023

Outward remittances in February under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) liberalised remittance scheme (LRS) fell 23 per cent over January, latest data released by the central bank, in its monthly bulletin, revealed. In February, Indians remitted $2.1 billion under the RBI's liberalised scheme. On a year-on-year (YoY) basis - aided by international travel - LRS jumped 15.24 per cent. Further, in April 2022-February 2023, outward remittances under LRS stood at $24.18 billion, an all-time high.

LIC's knock-on effect: New business premium of insurers drops 12%

LIC's knock-on effect: New business premium of insurers drops 12%

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2023

Contrary to expectations, the new business premium (NBP) of life insurance companies dropped 12.62 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in March 2023 due to an over 30 per cent drop in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India's premiums, albeit on a high base. Data released by the Life Insurance Council shows the industry racked up NBP of Rs 52,081 crore in March 2023, compared with Rs 59,608.83 crore in the year-ago period. NBP is the premium acquired from new policies in a year. It is the sum of the first-year premium and single premium, reflecting the total premium received from new businesses.

Market share of PSU general insurers shrinks 800 bps in 5 years: Irdai

Market share of PSU general insurers shrinks 800 bps in 5 years: Irdai

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2023

The four public sector general insurance companies -- New India Assurance, United India Insurance, Oriental Insurance, and National Insurance Company -- have lost 800 basis points (bps) in market share in last five years to their private counterparts, the data from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irdai) revealed. In 2018-19, the four had a cumulative market share of 40.04 per cent, with New India Assurance having a market share of 14 per cent and United India Insurance with a market share of 9.63 per cent. But, gradually in the past five years, these state-backed firms have lost their market share to private sector players, due to the declining health of their business.

Many cases may have to be reopened after SC ruling on borrowers' voice

Many cases may have to be reopened after SC ruling on borrowers' voice

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court's decision to allow borrowers a chance to be heard before their accounts are flagged as fraudulent by lenders is expected to result in several cases being reopened where the borrower is aggrieved because of such classification, bankers said. Still, the reopening of cases would not be automatic. A borrower who is aggrieved by the 'fraud' classification will have to approach the bank and consequently, the bank will take the necessary steps so that the apex court's order is followed in letter and spirit, they said.

'Rs 2,000 note is not easily available'

'Rs 2,000 note is not easily available'

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2023

By the end of March 2022, only 2,140 million pieces of Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes were in circulation, or 13.8 per cent of the total value of notes.

HDFC twins' merger: RBI may take call on relaxations closer to date

HDFC twins' merger: RBI may take call on relaxations closer to date

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2023

The Reserve Bank of India is likely to take a call on the relaxations sought by HDFC Bank in relation to the merger, as the date of merger draws closer, sources said. The HDFC twins, which announced their decision to merge in April last year, received National Company Law Tribunal's (NCLT's) approval recently - a key milestone to close the deal in due time. The management of both the entities had said that it will take 15-18 months for the merger.

Life insurers' new biz premium down 17% in Feb, LIC collections shrink 32%

Life insurers' new biz premium down 17% in Feb, LIC collections shrink 32%

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2023

Life insurance companies reported a 17 per cent year-on-year (YoY) drop in new business premium (NBP) in February as state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India's premiums contracted 32 per cent during this period on account of a drop in its group single premium segment. According to data released by the Life Insurance Council, the industry earned an NBP of Rs 22,847.65 crore in February - a drop of 17 per cent from the same period a year ago.

REVEALED: How RBI Operated During Covid

REVEALED: How RBI Operated During Covid

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2023

200 staffers, consisting of RBI officials and support teams, who are essential to perform critical functions, were isolated at a separate facility in a dedicated quarantined environment near all three RBI data centres.

Insurance companies yet to see fire sale of high-value life policies

Insurance companies yet to see fire sale of high-value life policies

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2023

Many life insurance companies are yet to see a sharp spike in the sale of high-value policies as was widely expected in the aftermath of the government's decision to tax income from insurance policies having an aggregate premium above Rs 5 lakh in a year.